Louth TD accuses Minister of giving support to anti-agreement Unionists

Sinn Fein TD Arthur Morgan has accused Dermot Ahern of continuing to
play "silly word games" and of "encouraging the anti-agreement
elements within the Ulster Unionist's" who he said, "were now being allowed to
dictate the pace of progress in the peace process".

"Speaking in the Seanad yesterday Dermot Ahern again questioned the
clarity of the IRA statement in contradiction to the comments of his
party leader, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who has described it as
significant, a huge advance and that it provided clarity. Dermot
specifically posed a question about the IRA's future intentions and what was
needed to bring about an end to conflict. I don't think the IRA
statement of April 13 could have been any clearer. It states in two short
paragraphs firstly that the IRA 'are resolved to see the complete and
final closure of this conflict' and that 'the IRA leadership is
determined to ensure that our activities, disciplines and strategies
will be consistent with this.' It goes on to say 'the full and
irreversible implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and other
commitments will provide the context in which the IRA can proceed to
definitively set aside arms to further our political objectives'.

"How can anybody fail to understand that clear and unambiguous
Statement. Surely Dermot Ahern would like to see the full and
irreversible implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the other
commitments thus resulting in the IRA 'definitively' setting aside arms. I
would call on Dermot Ahern and others within the Irish Government
parties to end the silly word games and to join with the rest of
nationalist Ireland, north and south in demanding the elections go ahead next
month. Comments such as those made by Deputy Ahern in the Seanad
yesterday will do nothing but give succour to the anti-Agreement elements
within the Ulster Unionists who are now being allowed to dictate the
pace of progress of the peace process."